UPDATE: July, 2005. A fellow CorvetteForum.com member posted THESE INSTRUCTIONS for making your own column lock bypass. I have not tried this method, as I have installed a C5Solutions CLB, which is no longer sold. Please refer to THIS THREAD on the CorvetteForum for more information.

NEWS: Feb 10, 2004. GM issues a recall of 127,000 C5 Corvettes due to steering column locks that failed in the locked mode, allowing cars to be driven and cause a safety problem. GM is disabling the locks in automatic C5s. IF YOU HAVE AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, TAKE IT IN FOR THE RECALL/FIX AND THEY WILL DISABLE YOUR COLUMN LOCK SO THAT YOU DO NOT HAVE TO INSTALL A COLUMNN LOCK BYPASS. However, in manual C5s, GM is only reprogramming the Powertrain Control Module (computer) so that the C5 won't be drivable when the column is stuck in the locked position. Apparently, some PCMs with low or interrupted voltage would allow the car to be driven. This recall is to prevent that from happening. All manual transmission owners will still be driving C5s with column locks that fail and leave us stranded! Another issue is that the recall could prevent a Column Lock Bypass from functioning. However, there are instructions here that can be used to bypass the recall.

Many C5 (1997-up) Corvette
owners have been having problems with their steering column locks.
Chevrolet developed an electro-mechanical lock that took the place of the
old ignition switch/lock assembly. When the ignition switch was moved
from the steering column (installed on C4 Corvettes) to the dash, Chevrolet
felt it necessary to provide the same theft deterrent system. Thus,
the electro-mechanical steering column lock was born! Unfortunately,
this device does NOT work correctly 100% of the time.

Many C5 owners complained
that, when starting their C5, the lock would not disengage. Also,
a message indicating "SERVICE STEERING COLUMN LOCK" would display on the
DIC (Driver Information Center). There were several solutions posted
to CorvetteForum.com indicating
that heat may be the reason why the lock wouldn't disengage. Some
folks would "beat" on the wheel in clockwise and counterclockwise directions,
forcing the column to unlock while turning the ignition key. Some
owners just turned the Air Conditioning on for a while, which would allow
the lock to cool and disengage. One CorvetteForum member disassebled
the dash of his C5 and was able to move the column lock mechanism with
a screwdriver, enabling him to drive it to the dealer. Some owners
resorted to calling the GM 1-800 "help me" hotline and hoped that a tow
truck would arrive in a timely manner. Chevrolet requests that the
car be towed back to a dealer to have the column locking mechanism (and
sometimes the Body Control Module computer) replaced. Several owners
have had this problem occur time and time again. GM does not seem
to think the problem warrants fixing. The only recall available is to prevent the car from being driving over 2mph with a locked column. This is not a fix to the column locking problem. It prevents people from driving with a locked column.

To avoid ever getting "locked
up," C5Solutions first developed the Steering Column Lock bypass and offered
it to CorvetteForum members. Some folks have had trouble installing
the column lock bypass. Thus, I felt obligated to assist my fellow
C5 owners by providing a visual HOW TO section. I have always enjoyed
working on my cars. Because of my past experience I found that the
instructions were simple to follow. For those of you who have never
done interior/electrical work, this HOW TO may help you get the job done
more quickly.

This kit was purchased from
Tom Zavada, of C5Solutions. I received word that he is not longer available via email and no longer manufactures the kit. Corvettes Of Houston now manufactures and sells the kits. Their link is below.
The Column Lock Bypass kit includes the column lock bypass
box, harness and connector. He also includes a 12 Volt adapter, which
is necessary to disable the lock before installing the bypass box.
Step-by-step instructions are also included.
The folks on Corvetteforum.com are purchasing the bypass from Corvettes of Houston or Thunder Racing.

If you have any questions
or comments on my instructions, feel free to email me at pat@97vette.com
or catch me on the C5 tech section of CorvetteForum.com
as Pat97Vette.

!!! If your column is locked now, read on
!!!

I had a friend email me
in late 1999. He got the column lock message and decided to install the
bypass after getting the error. I asked him to clear the codes/computer and the MESSAGE WENT AWAY!
No longer do you HAVE to see the dealer when the column locks! This is
great news for anyone who had their C5 go out of warranty. You can attempt to use the column lock installation instructions and install the bypass, then delete the codes. One corvetteforum member tried this, but kept blowing fuses. If this is the case, the column lock is drawing too much current and must be replaced. But if you are successful in retracting the column lock, see the following details:

I received this question via email:

First of all, thanks for
taking the time to put such great instructions on the internet. I got the
bypass and installed it. However, my steering column was locked when I
put the bypass in. I played around with the steering wheel and got it to
unlock. I then installed the bypass. The only problem I have is that I
get the "service steering column" message every time I start the car. Is
there any way to get rid of this message without having to unplug everything
and let GM have another shot at fixing the car? Thanks again for all your
help. Save the Wave.

My response:

I have spent a lot of time
on the CorvetteForum.com (and other forums) and have never seen anyone
actually install the bypass after getting a "service column" message. But,
if we can get this fixed, this information will be invaluable!

Before removing the bypass, which you already installed, I am going to suggest that
you clear the code within the computer, first. Turn the key to the ON position,
but don't start the engine. Clear any present messages (like Door Ajar,
or Service Steering Column) by pressing the RESET button. Then hold the
OPTIONS button down, while pressing the FUEL button 4 times. This will
get you into the CODES section of the DIC.

The computer will automatically
display all the codes your car is or has created. It will cycle through
each code every 3 seconds. You can watch it display codes for every module
in your car. If you want to write them down, go ahead.
Any code that ends in H is a history code - something that has
occured in the past but is fine now. The computer is very sensative and
would throw a code if you turned the radio off while tuning it. You should
have one code that should be your column
code. It may be one of the following codes:

Once the computer has finished
going through all of it's automatic codes, press RESET to enter Manual
Configuration. It should start with a module and show "NO CODES" or "#
CODES". If it shows a number of codes, press and hold RESET until it displays
"NO CODES". This is how you reset your codes. Press OPTIONS to go to
the next module. Repeat the steps in this paragraph until you have gone
through all the computers.Then, I'd turn the car off
and disconnect the negative cable to the battery. This will reset the computer.
I'd leave it off for a few seconds while the computer resets. It does remember
a lot of things, but I have the feeling that by clearing the codes and
removing power, you might get the computer to forget that it ever had a column lock problem.Connect the battery and turn
the key to ON. If it's still showing "Service Steering Column," I'm afraid
that you have no choice but to get the car hooked back up and take it to
the dealer.

Let me know if any of my
suggestions worked. Like I said, this has never been tried before.

His reponse:

I used your method to erase
the DIC message on the steering column and it worked. The message went
away and the bypass works great. Thanks. Keep up the good work.

Another CorvetteForum member posted this solution:
Leave key in car with engine running.
Remove fuse #25 (under passenger seat in fuse box, look on diagram).
Now while car is still running, the DIC is blank, you can turn the steering wheel, and the column lock is released. However, if I pulled forward, the car died.
Put the fuse back in.
Start car.
Now the car started fine for me and after a number of tests, everything is still ok, the Service Column Lock no longer comes on and the car drives and handles normally.

Disclaimer: 97vette.com offers the C5 HOW TO section as a guide.
97vette.com will not accept any responsibility if you make a mistake
and
damage your Corvette. You assume any and all responsibility to use
caution
when performing work on your Corvette to prevent yourself from causing
any
damage. --Pat